MACD News Blog

EAST LANSING, May 10, 2012 — Pigeon Creek Watershed in Calhoun County and Hayworth Creek Watershed in Clinton County will be part of the new National Water Quality Initiative. This USDA initiative targets impaired watersheds, providing conservation funding to farmers to implement practices that will protect and improve the wildlife and fish habitat and water quality.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds will be utilized for this program, with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service providing the financial and technical assistance, in partnership with the Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts. Conservation practices including cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and conservation tillage will be encouraged within these watersheds where the on-farm investments have the best chance to improve water quality.

"We are very pleased to have two Michigan watersheds chosen for this program. The initiative will bolster voluntary conservation efforts by providing farmers with additional tools to install conservation practices to better improve water quality in these watersheds" said Lori Phalen, MACD Executive Director. The Calhoun and Clinton Conservation Districts well understand the significant conservation issues facing these watersheds and will work closely with the USDA-NRCS to bolster voluntary conservation efforts through this program."

Farmers can check with the Calhoun Conservation District or Clinton Conservation District or view the online maps for the Pigeon Creek and Hayworth Creek Watersheds to see if they are located in a selected watershed. Farmers within the watersheds are encouraged to apply, with applications due by June 16, 2012 in order to be considered. All applicants will be notified this summer of the results of the competitive selection process, with NRCS developing contracts with applicants approved for funding.

Michigan Conservation Districts and NRCS have worked in close collaboration since their establishment in the 1930's. Today, this powerful conservation delivery system works with private landowners to address local conservation needs while addressing state and national interests. Locally directed, Michigan Conservation Districts partner closely with the NRCS as well as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality to provide the cost effective delivery of state and federal programs including Federal Farm Bill programs, Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program, Bovine TB Risk Mitigation Project, Critical Dunes Vegetative Removal Assurances, Hunter Access Program, Michigan Pheasants Restoration Initiative, and several Great Lakes Restoration Initiative projects.

For more information on Michigan Conservation Districts and their conservation activities and partnerships, please visit www.macd.org. Visit the Michigan NRCS website at www.mi.usda.gov.

This year, the event will be held at Treetops Resort in Gaylord on June 20 and 21st. The Summer Conference provides targeted training specifically geared toward Conservation Districts and the opportunity to network with District board and staff members from all over the state, all in the beautiful and relaxing environment of Treetops Resort!